🦎 Yemen Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) Care Sheet

Also Known As: Veiled Chameleon
Origin: Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia
Size: Males 45–60 cm (18–24"); Females 30–45 cm (12–18")
Lifespan: Males 6–8 years; Females 4–6 years (shorter due to reproductive stress)
Temperament: Generally solitary and display-oriented; minimal handling recommended
Activity: Arboreal and diurnal

🏠 Housing

• Enclosure Size:

  • Adults: 60 x 60 x 120 cm (2' x 2' x 4') screen enclosure is the ideal

  • Juveniles: Smaller enclosure with proper humidity and ventilation

• Ventilation: Essential! Use screen enclosures, ideally not glass or wooden tanks

• Décor: Live or artificial plants, vines, and branches for climbing and lots of cover

🌡️ Temperature & Lighting

• Basking Spot: 32–35°C (90–95°F)

• Ambient Day Temp: 24–27°C (75–81°F)

• Night Temp: 18–22°C (65–72°F)

• Lighting:

  • UVB 10.0 minimum linear tube (not coil) or mercury vapour bulb required 12 hrs/day

  • Basking bulb for heat and light

💧 Humidity & Hydration

• Humidity Range: 60–80% (use live plants and misting)

• Watering: Chameleons will not drink from bowls—mist at least daily, ideally more, and/or use a drip/rain system

• Drainage: Ensure excess water doesn’t pool at the bottom

🥩 Feeding

• Diet: Insectivorous – appropriate sized, gut-loaded locusts, crickets, roaches, locusts, mealworms, etc.

• Feeding Frequency:

  • Juveniles: Daily

  • Adults: Every other day

• Supplements:

  • Calcium without D3: every feeding

  • Calcium with D3 & multivitamins: once a week each

🧼 Cleaning & Maintenance

• Spot Clean: Daily removal of faeces and uneaten food

• Full Clean: Weekly wipe-downs; monthly deep clean

• Health Tip: Watch for signs of Dehydration sunken eyes) and (MBD (limp jaw/legs, tremors) due to lack of UVB or calcium